Are terrorist organisations primarily politically motivated actors seeking to alter the political landscape, or are they criminal enterprises driven by profit? Is terrorism a strategic tool employed in pursuing ideological goals, or merely a tactic adopted by groups seeking material gain? Alternatively, could these motivations coexist, varying across cases, historical periods, and geographical contexts?
The conference seeks to explore these complex questions by examining the methods, objectives, and operational strategies of terrorist organisations. It invites a critical comparison between ideologically driven groups — such as the IRA, Hezbollah, and Al-Shabaab — and criminal syndicates like the ‘Ndrangheta, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Yakuza. Are there significant overlaps in their structures, tactics, or financial operations, or do their core characteristics remain fundamentally distinct?
To foster a more nuanced understanding, the conference will focus on three central research questions:
How do terrorist organisations finance their activities?
What business models underpin their operations?
Under what circumstances do terrorist groups engage in illicit economic activities?
By addressing these questions, the event, organized by MCC Migration Research Institute and University of St Andrews Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, aims to bridge the gap between political violence and organised crime studies, offering new insights into the intersections of ideology, strategy, and profit in contemporary terrorism.
What business models underpin their operations?
Under what circumstances do terrorist groups engage in illicit economic activities?
By addressing these questions, the event, organized by MCC Migration Research Institute and University of St Andrews Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, aims to bridge the gap between political violence and organised crime studies, offering new insights into the intersections of ideology, strategy, and profit in contemporary terrorism.
Date: 15 May 2025 | Thursday
Venue: Scruton MCC, 3-7 Tas vezér Street, 1113 Budapest, Hungary
Registration: https://mcc.hu/…/event…/budapest-conference-on-terrorism
Agenda
9.00: Opening remarks
9.20: Panel Discussion I.
Clara Broekaert, Colin Clarke – The Evolution of the Crime-Terror Nexus: Is a Typology Feasible?
Research Fellow, The Soufan Center
Senior Research Fellow, The Soufan Center
Research Fellow, The Soufan Center
Senior Research Fellow, The Soufan Center
Letizia Paoli – The nexus between organized crime and terrorism: a tripartite conceptualization
Professor, University of Leuven, Faculty of Law
Professor, University of Leuven, Faculty of Law
William Vlcek – Whacking moles: A neoliberal approach to security
Senior Lecturer in Global Political Economy, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews
Senior Lecturer in Global Political Economy, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews
Q and A
10.30: Coffee Break
11.00: Panel Discussion II.
Diego Muro, Tim Wilson – Terrorists or Rulers? A Comparative Study of ETA and the IRA through the Lens of Rebel Governance
Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of St. Andrews
Senior Lecturer of School of International Relations, University of St. Andrews
Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of St. Andrews
Senior Lecturer of School of International Relations, University of St. Andrews
Ovidiu Craciunas – The Criminal Connections of Lone-Actor Terrorism
Phd Candidate, School of International Relations, University of St. Andrews
Phd Candidate, School of International Relations, University of St. Andrews
Simon Cottee – When Non-Jihadists Mimic Jihadists
Senior Lecturer, University of Kent
Senior Lecturer, University of Kent
Filip Bryjka – Russian Semi-Private Military Companies as a Tool of Strategic Competition in Africa
Assistant Professor, Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Assistant Professor, Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Q and A
12.30. Lunch Break
14.00. Panel Discussion III.
Anna Puskás – Cultural heritage and terrorism: how illicit trade can finance extremism – the case of ISIL
Research Fellow, Ludovika University of Public Service
Research Fellow, Ludovika University of Public Service
Jessica Vaughan – Unholy Alliances: Relationships Among Terrorists, Cartels, Gangs, and Governments in the Western Hemisphere
Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies
Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies
Omar Mahmood – Al-Shabaab’s Financial Generation – Furthering the Pursuit of Jihad
Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group
Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group
Viktor Marsai – From Caravan-Terrorism to Quasi-State Actors – Is there a Chance for Transformation of Violent Extremist Organisations in the Sahel?
Executive Director, Migration Research Institute
Executive Director, Migration Research Institute
Q and A
15.30: Closing remarks
The event is free to attend, however, registration is required.
We offer lunch at Scruton for attendees. Lunch coupons will be distributed at the venue after the second Panel Discussion.
